Synopsis of The Encyclopedia of Gangsters: A Worldwide Guide to Organized Crime

Black Hand, Tammany Hall, political scandals, mafias, cartels, and opium gangs. The Encyclopedia of Gangsters provides an encompassing look at organized crime around the world. More than just the Sicilian Mafia, who are celebrated by pop culture and often depicted on the silver screen in films such as the Godfather trilogy and Scarface, the world of gangsters spans the globe and has deep roots. The Encyclopedia of Gangsters is arranged both chronologically and geographically, highlighting the legendary figures, the famous heists and busts, and the stranglehold these organizations still exert today. Infamous characters like Al Capone, Carlo Gambino, John Gotti, Arnold Rothstein, Isadore Blumenfeld, Wah Ching, Sergei Mikhailov, and Phoolan Devi are profiled in this colorful and comprehensive collection.